Editorials: Long story short

Published 3:53 pm, Saturday, September 26, 2015

Saratoga school grades raise some questions

There are all kinds of legitimate reasons why school officials might alter grades on a student's academic record. But a spot audit by the state comptroller reveals some lapses in both security and documentation surrounding this practice in the Saratoga Springs City School District.

Without saying the grade changes were improper, the state report shows better safeguards are needed to protect the integrity of the process. In Saratoga, the audit showed, it was often unclear who changed the grades and why. District officials promise to tighten the process, as they should, to ensure no inappropriate tampering with a student's permanent record.

Albany body cameras will enhance policing

A $133,305 grant from the U.S. Justice Department to buy body cameras for the Albany Police Department is good news, but installing tiny video units on the uniforms of police is only one part of what's needed to build and maintain public confidence and accountability.

After the grant was announced last week, Chief Brendan Cox rightly said the implementation was key to the program's success. He's right. But in addition to the "body cams," continued training of police and proper outside oversight of any probe of alleged police misconduct are needed, too.

Equitable state aid can remedy Albany's stress

No gimmicks will solve Albany's ongoing fiscal crisis. Plain and simple, the city needs new sources of money.

The latest affirmation of the city's shaky finances came last week when the state comptroller listed Albany as one of New York's most fiscally stressed municipalities. For its 2014 budget, the city had to raid its fund balance for $10 million. This year's spending plan only uses a $2 million infusion from the rainy day account, thanks to some difficult belt-tightening.

Although an enormous amount of property owned by state and nonprofits is off the property tax rolls, and other cities receive proportionately far more aid, the Cuomo administration seems unwilling to discuss upping aid to New York's capital city.

The comptroller's latest report shows it's way past time to reconsider that stance.